Then Gaston himself upped the bromance with a hashtag that launched a thousand fan fics.

But keep your eyes on the prize—the snowy, swirly staircase—okay? Did they make it winter so the stabbing would be more dramatic? Or did they film the learning-how-to-read-while-falling-in-love sequence last? Sigh. We'll find out in AN ETERNITY, AKA March 2017.

Update, 4/22: Is Beauty and the Beast the most well-cast movie of all time? Can they give out an award for that?

According to Variety, Stanley Tucci has closed a deal to play the neurotic grand piano Cadenza. If you're racking your brain right now trying to remember an anxious Bösendorfer from the animated version, relax—there wasn't one. Cadenza is a new character created especially for the live-action BATB who will probably be temperamental and hilarious and kind of like Nigel from the Devil Wears Prada.

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In other, less exciting news: The film has set a release date of March 17, 2017. There will surely be loads more updates before then, but that's such a long way away. :(

Update, 4/21: When will the madness end?!!!! Hopefully never because, TBH, it's Beauty and the Beast news that keeps me going.

In the latest casting development, Ewan McGregor is reportedly in final talks to join the awesome people below as Lumiere, according to the Hollywood Reporter. Because Cogsworth/Ian McKellen already confirmed this will be a movie musical extravaganza like no other, we can expect McGregor will have some songs and dance routines to learn. But Moulin Rouge, guys! And that one movie with Renee Zellwegger! So he's all set to play a smooth-operator candelabra who might be French or Scottish depending on how homogenous they want the accents to be. Yay!

Update, 4/16: Ian McKellan wasn't holding court over the cast of Beauty and Beast after all—he was busy writing a touching description of their first table read together, which he published on Facebook late Wednesday.

There was apparently dancing, singing, white roses, Alan Menken songs, crying, and a standing ovation at the end. Most magical set atmosphere ever? You bet.

Update 2, 4/14: My typing on this might be a bit weird because I'm trying to pack all my worldly possessions right now so I can go creep on the cast of Beauty and the Beast, which is already hanging out and looking super excited!!

Also super exciting: 1) Gugu Mbatha-Raw, known for Belle (fitting) and Beyond the Lights, has been cast as the feather duster Plumette, reports Variety. And 2) I am quitting my job so I can go hang out on set with these people. Bye.

Update, 3/16: Calling it now: Beauty and the Beast for Best Motion Picture of All Time because the cast is just that good.

In a statement to People, Disney announced that Emma Thompson will be playing Mrs. Potts, den mother of the Beast's sentient kitchen utensils and literal mother of Chip, who will no doubt be played by an adorable, unknown child actor. Also joining the two Emmas, Dan Stevens, and Luke Evans are Kevin Kline as Maurice, Belle's father and madcap inventor, and Josh Gad as Gaston's minion Le Fou.

Dan Stevens, the guy who left Downton too soon, will be playing the Beast to Emma Watson's Belle in the live-action remake of the classic movie. He teased the news on Twitter on Wednesday, which Watson confirmed herself Thursday.